Honkai: You're telling me this difficulty is from Honkai Impact 3?!

By the moonlight, Shu finally got a clear look at what stood before them.

It appeared to be a tall, slender woman, clad in white armor and impossibly high heels. Her long, grayish-white hair was a tangled mess, and a pair of horn-like ornaments adorned her head.

Honestly, Shu didn't recognize what it was at first glance.

Then, he saw it silently draw a pair of tachi from its back.

Shu: "..." Now he recognized it.

It was that Honkai soldier that could dodge bullets and parry attacks!

"Shu, is that another Honkai soldier?" Bronya had already drawn her gun, warily eyeing the white, dual-wielding figure.

The armor and weapons looked similar to the Honkai soldiers they'd encountered at the Nagazora City station, but the overall appearance was completely different.

Thankfully, there was only one.

"Anything else?" Bronya asked.

Shu thought for a moment. "Well, it can parry attacks and dodge bullets," he stated, feeling like he was stating the obvious.

Bronya: "..." Understood. With that simple exchange of information, a deep understanding passed between them. Bronya felt a surge of pride; all those hours gaming hadn't been wasted!

"It's not approaching." Bronya narrowed her eyes, raising her gun and aiming at the motionless Honkai soldier. "Do you want me to fire a shot to confirm, or should we try to go around?"

Shu surveyed their surroundings. "Let's go around. If we provoke it, who knows how many people will get left behind?"

With that, Shu gestured for the group behind them, who had quieted down, to follow him around the Honkai soldier.

But as soon as Shu took a step, the Honkai soldier mirrored his movement.

"Wait, Shu!" This small movement put Bronya on high alert. Her finger tensed on the trigger. "Something's not right… I think it's locked onto you."

"I noticed." Shu's voice dropped, and he swiftly drew his gun.

The sound of the click made several people behind him gasp. Shu glanced back at them, then at the Honkai soldier, his expression unreadable.

Just then, a loud crash echoed from behind them.

Without turning, Shu knew there had been some commotion, but it quickly subsided.

"Are we blocked in?" a young man stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the gun in Shu's hand with a mixture of fear and envy. He swallowed hard.

Shu was deep in thought.

They were trapped between a rock and a hard place. The dual-wielding Honkai soldier blocked the path ahead, while the Honkai beast and the horde of zombies were an unknown threat from behind.

This Honkai soldier had locked onto him; there was no going around it…

But only I can't go around it.

It's only one, it can only target one person. If we all rush it… it might not be able to take us all down before daybreak… well, maybe…

But it can't stop everyone.

"Bronya, take them and go around," Shu ordered, taking a step forward. The Honkai soldier mirrored him, taking a step back.

A flicker of emotion finally crossed Bronya's face. "Shu, what are you planning?"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to die." Seeing the Honkai soldier retreat with him, Shu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Look, I'll keep it occupied here. If I retreat, it advances, and vice-versa. I'll hold it off, and you get everyone out. It'll be easier for me to escape on my own."

"No." Bronya immediately refused. Shu sighed.

"Bronya, this isn't a joke. These people need a leader…"

"They live here; they know the way to the train station." Bronya shook her head. "If we need to coordinate, we can send a message, or even tell them where to go. You don't have a good reason to make me leave."

Shu couldn't help but give Bronya a surprised look. He hadn't expected her to be so articulate. Usually, she was as quiet as a clam.

"The train station?" The university student who had spoken earlier hadn't left yet. Overhearing Bronya, he nodded. "We do know the way to the station. Is that where we're supposed to go? We can get there ourselves."

And you're still talking!

Shu rolled his eyes at the student, but he had to admit, he was starting to be swayed. Maybe having Bronya stay with him wasn't such a bad idea?

…Shu's face hardened.

"No." His voice was firm and heavy. He looked at Bronya. "Bronya, I told you it can dodge bullets, right?"

Bronya paused, nodded, and then said, "As long as the aim is true, and there's enough firepower, it can't dodge everything."

She added, "Bronya's aim is very true."

"I know your aim is true, but…" Shu simply didn't want Bronya to stay and risk her life with him. He wanted her to leave with the larger group.

Another loud crash came from behind, followed by another wave of commotion, even larger this time.

Shu didn't want to waste time making up excuses.

"Bronya." He placed a hand on Bronya's shoulder, sighing softly. "I'm the one in charge… Please obey my orders."

Bronya's body trembled, her usual impassive expression crumbling into disbelief.

"You…" she started to say, but Shu gave her a reassuring look.

Bronya looked down, her hand tightening and loosening around her gun. After a long moment, she lowered the weapon.

"Bronya… obeys the order," she said quietly. Shu smiled and patted her head.

"Wait for me. I'll bring you back a sword as a souvenir." He joked, pointing at the Honkai soldier. "So, which one do you want?"

Bronya didn't answer, silently turning to leave.

The university student, completely bewildered, scratched his head and followed.

With a new direction, the crowd quickly followed Bronya, but as they left, almost everyone gave Shu a strange look.

Shu instinctively scratched his cheek. There's nothing on my face, is there…?

Then, he heard a series of soft, whispered blessings.

"Good luck."

A warm current flowed through Shu, coalescing into an indescribable strength.

He gave the departing group a thumbs-up, then turned back to face the still-motionless Honkai soldier, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Crack, crack..." He stretched his neck and knuckles then slowly aimed at the distant soldier.

"Now, it's just the two of us..."